Java creator James Gosling: "Just because Sun didn't have patent suits in our genetic code doesn't mean we didn't feel wronged. While I have differences with Oracle, in this case they are in the right. Google totally slimed Sun. We were all really disturbed, even Jonathan: he just decided to put on a happy face and tried to turn lemons into lemonade, which annoyed a lot of folks at Sun." Ouch. Also, doesn't jive with Schwartz' comments - might be illustrative of how bad things really were at the once great Sun.

So what if Google slimed Sun? Get over it, it's a programming language. To me the attitude of Java people is completely childish. Instead of working to improve Java they become paranoid about what other people is doing.

I think everything you need to know about Sun's demise is right there. Horrible implementations of great software design, leading to delusional thinking about building consumer side technology developers and consumers will want.

"Sliming" can be illegal, depending on where you are. It's legal in the USA, but in Merrie Olde England, one can be hauled before the bench for hurting someone's feelings, even if the words used were demonstrably factual. And isn't someone facing 20 years of lockup for letting others "insult" the king of Thailand on her website?

hehe
I remember the days when Sun/Java was the great white hope of the "freedom loving" programming community.
But then a new flavor of the month comes a long, gets in a conflict with Sun/Java, and those freedom lovers have to choose sides, and they decide side with the new boy (Google) and throw the old one under the bus. lol

Meanwhile, as time goes on, Google's "Do no evil" mantra becomes more and more a farce, yet they continue to get a pass from the so-called "freedom lovers". hehee

hehe
I remember the days when Sun/Java was the great white hope of the "freedom loving" programming community.

You have a really bad memory, Java was always treated poorly because it wasn’t FOSS. Then it became GPLed as OpenJDK yet was one version behind, all the while the JCP was in deadlock, and then Oracle bought them. Nothing seemed to all go well at once.

The OpenJDK release was a great vindication for freedom lovers, but I don’t think anyone saw it as the great white hope you claim.